Connecting means

ABSTRACT

In order to provide a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably, it is proposed that the connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of international applicationnumber PCT/EP2014/052832, filed on Feb. 13, 2014, which claims priorityto German patent application number 10 2013 203 289.7, filed on Feb. 27,2013, the entire specification of both being incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a connecting means for connecting afirst component and a second component, in particular for connectingfurniture parts or machine parts.

BACKGROUND

A connecting means of this kind is known for example from EP 1 990 549A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting means forconnecting a first component and a second component, by means of whichthe components may be connected to one another simply and reliably.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a connectingmeans for connecting a first component and a second component, inparticular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, whichincludes the following:

-   -   a first connecting element which in the connected condition of        the components is arranged on the first component and includes a        spring element, and    -   a second connecting element which in the connected condition of        the components is arranged on the second component and includes        a receiving element,        wherein, for connecting the first component and the second        component, the spring element is configured to come into        engagement with the receiving element, and wherein the        connecting means, in particular the first connecting element        and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing        element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

Because there is provided in the connecting means according to theinvention a spring element which is configured to come into engagementwith a receiving element, by means of the connecting means the twocomponents may be connected, and in particular may be latched, to oneanother simply.

Because according to the invention the connecting means, in particularthe first connecting element and/or the second connecting element,includes one or more reinforcing elements for reinforcing a spring forceof the spring element, the components may be held together in theconnected condition by a large holding force.

The reinforcing element or elements will be described below, inparticular in connection with the first connecting element. However, asan alternative or in addition to this, it may also be provided for thesecond connecting element to include a reinforcing element or aplurality of reinforcing elements which then have preferably individualor a plurality of the features and/or advantages described in thecontext of the reinforcing elements of the first connecting element.

In this description and the appended claims, the term spring element isin particular to be understood as a resilient element which is arrangedwith one end for example on a base body such that the other end ismovable in relation to the base body. A spring action, in particular aspring force, of the spring element preferably results from flexing thespring element.

Preferably, the connecting means, in particular the first connectingelement, includes a plurality of spring elements and/or a plurality ofreinforcing elements.

Further, it may be provided for the connecting means, in particular thesecond connecting element, to include a plurality of receiving elements.

In an embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the connectingmeans, in particular the first connecting element and/or the secondconnecting element, to include at least one reinforcing element whichtakes the form of an auxiliary spring element and which acts preferablydirectly on the spring element for reinforcing the spring force of thespring element.

In this description and the appended claims, the term auxiliary springelement is in particular to be understood as a spring element which actson the receiving element only indirectly, namely by means of the springelement which is configured to come into engagement with the receivingelement.

The spring element which is configured to come directly into engagementwith the receiving element is preferably a main spring element.

It may be favorable if, in a disconnected condition of the connectingelements, the at least one auxiliary spring element is arranged spacedfrom the spring element, in particular the main spring element.

It may be advantageous if the at least one auxiliary spring element hasat least approximately a shape corresponding to the spring element, inparticular the main spring element.

In particular, it may be provided for the external shape of the at leastone auxiliary spring element to correspond at least approximately to theexternal shape of the spring element, in particular the main springelement, but for the at least one auxiliary spring element to havesmaller dimensions than the spring element, in particular the mainspring element.

In an embodiment of the invention, it may be provided for the at leastone auxiliary spring element to include an abutment portion by means ofwhich the auxiliary spring element is configured to abut against thespring element, for reinforcing the spring force of the spring element.

The abutment portion is arranged in particular at an end of theauxiliary spring element which is opposite the end on which theauxiliary spring element is arranged, for example on a base body of theconnecting element.

It may be advantageous if the at least one auxiliary spring element isformed in one piece with the spring element and/or in one piece with abase body of the first connecting element.

It may for example be provided for the first connecting element, whichpreferably includes at least one spring element, in particular a mainspring element, and/or at least one auxiliary spring element, to takethe form at least in certain regions of an injection-molded plasticspart.

In particular, it may be provided for the first connecting element toinclude a one-piece injection-molded part which includes at least onespring element, at least one reinforcing element, for example at leastone auxiliary spring element, and/or the base body of the firstconnecting element.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the firstconnecting element to include at least two reinforcing elements thattake the form of auxiliary spring elements. Preferably, for reinforcingthe spring force of the spring element, at least one auxiliary springelement acts directly on the spring element, in particular the mainspring element. For reinforcing the spring force of the spring element,in particular the main spring element, at least one further auxiliaryspring element acts preferably directly on the at least one auxiliaryspring element which acts directly on the spring element, in particularthe main spring element.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it may be provided for thefirst connecting element to include at least one reinforcing elementthat takes the form of a stiffening element and which is preferablyconnected to the spring element such that a deformation of the springelement results in a deformation of the stiffening element.

In particular, it may be provided for the first connecting element toinclude at least one reinforcing element that takes the form of astiffening element and which is connected to the spring element suchthat a deformation of the spring element results in a compression and/ora shearing of the stiffening element.

Thus, the stiffening element preferably acts on the spring element forreinforcing the spring force of the spring element.

It may be favorable if the stiffening element extends in part orentirely along the spring element and is connected to the spring elementover this part of the spring element or over the entire spring element.

In particular, it may be provided for a deflection or a flexing of thespring element to result in a compression and/or a shearing of thestiffening element, as a result of which the spring force of the springelement is preferably reinforced.

In this description and the appended claims, the expression acompression and/or shearing is preferably to be understood as acompressive load and/or shear load over a large surface area.Preferably, a compression and/or a shearing of the stiffening element isnot merely a flexing of the stiffening element.

It may be favorable if the first connecting element includes at leastone reinforcing element which takes the form of a stiffening element andwhich is connected to at least one auxiliary spring element, inparticular such that deformation of the auxiliary spring element resultsin a compression and/or a shearing of the stiffening element.

The at least one stiffening element is preferably made from a materialwhich is a material different from the material of the spring elementand/or which is a material different from the material of a base body ofthe first connecting element.

Further, it may be provided for the at least one stiffening element tobe made from a material which is a material different from the materialof the at least one auxiliary spring element.

The at least one stiffening element is preferably made from aninjection-moldable elastomer material and/or a thermoplastic material,or includes an injection-moldable elastomer material and/or athermoplastic material.

It may be favorable if the first connecting element includes at leastone reinforcing element that takes the form of an auxiliary springelement and at least one reinforcing element that takes the form of astiffening element.

Preferably, in this case, an intermediate space between the auxiliaryspring element and the spring element is filled, in part or entirely, bythe stiffening element.

Thus, preferably a connection over a large surface area between thespring element, in particular the main spring element, and the auxiliaryspring element is made by the stiffening element.

In particular, the stiffening element may in this case contribute toreinforcing the spring force of the spring element, by a shearing of thestiffening element that results from flexing the spring element and theauxiliary spring element.

It may be favorable if the receiving element includes a receivingprojection and/or a receiving recess.

In the connected condition, preferably an engaging portion of the springelement engages behind the receiving element in the region of thereceiving projection and/or the receiving depression.

In an embodiment of the invention, it may be provided for the receivingelement to include a clamping portion along which an engaging portion ofthe spring element is movable for making the connection between thefirst component and the second component, wherein the spring element isthereby tensioned.

Movement of the components, in particular the connecting elements, inrelation to one another is in this case preferably performed along aconnecting direction. The connecting direction is substantiallyperpendicular to a connecting plane in which the components and/or theconnecting elements abut against one another in the connected condition.

It may be advantageous if the clamping portion of the receivingelement—as seen in a direction of insertion that extends parallel to theconnecting direction—includes an initially steeper portion and,adjoining this, a flatter portion, for example a substantially paraboliccross section. In this case, the cross section is in particular in aplane which is defined by a direction of deflection of the engagingportion of the spring element and the connecting direction between thetwo components.

The parabolic shape of the cross section is produced in particular ifthe connecting direction is a y axis and the associated x axis extendsin the connecting plane, in particular substantially parallel to thedeflecting direction of the engaging portion.

Preferably, by means of the clamping portion of the receiving element,when the connecting elements are connected to one another the springelement may develop a force such that the spring element is at firstdeflected relatively quickly and then more slowly. As a result, it ispossible for a maximum force for pushing together (connecting) theconnecting elements to be as small as possible and yet to achieve apowerful holding force for holding the connecting elements together.

It may be advantageous if the receiving element is constructed to beresilient, at least in certain regions.

In particular, it may be provided for the receiving element to beconstructed to be yielding, at least in certain regions, in and/oropposite to a deflecting direction of the engaging portion of the springelement.

Preferably, the receiving element is connected, at an end of thereceiving element that faces the first connecting element, to a basebody of the second connecting element.

Preferably, at least one end of the receiving element that is remotefrom the first connecting element is constructed to be movable.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the firstconnecting element to include at least two spring elements which in theconnected condition embrace the receiving element on both sides.

Preferably, at least one reinforcing element, in particular at least oneauxiliary spring element and/or at least one stiffening element, isassociated with each spring element, in particular each main springelement.

It may be provided for the receiving element to be constructed to besymmetrical in relation to a transverse center plane of the receivingelement that extends perpendicular to a connecting plane of theconnecting means.

In particular if the first connecting element includes at least twospring elements which in the connected condition embrace the receivingelement on both sides, it may be provided for the at least two springelements which in the connected condition embrace the receiving elementto be tensionable in uniform manner, in particular for the engagingportions of the spring elements to be movable apart in uniform manner.

It may be advantageous for the first connecting element to include atleast two spring elements and at least two reinforcing elements,wherein, in relation to a transverse center plane of the firstconnecting element that extends perpendicular to a connecting plane ofthe connecting means, the at least two spring elements and the at leasttwo reinforcing elements are arranged symmetrically to one another onthe first connecting element and/or are constructed to be symmetrical toone another. By this means, too, a uniform tensioning of the springelements can be effected for reliable connection of the connectingelements to one another.

The at least two spring elements and the at least two reinforcingelements are in particular arranged on the base body, in particularbeing constructed in one piece with the base body or being connected tothe base body with a substance-to-substance bond.

It may be favorable if at least one connecting element includes a basebody which is substantially in the shape of a circular-cylindricalsegment or a circular-cylindrical portion, and at least one holdingprojection which is substantially in the shape of a circular arc and bymeans of which the at least one connecting element is securable in thecomponent.

Further, the connecting means according to the invention may haveindividual or a plurality of the features and/or advantages describedbelow.

Preferably, at least one of the connecting elements includes a curvedabutment face which is in the shape of a circular arc in longitudinalsection.

It may be favorable if, in the connected condition of the components,the first connecting element and the second connecting element aredetachably connected to one another.

Preferably, the connecting elements are configured to be moved from thedisconnected condition into the connected condition and/or from theconnected condition into the disconnected condition by reversibledeformation of the at least one spring element and by reversibledeformation of the at least one reinforcing element.

In particular if at least one of the connecting elements includes acurved abutment face which is in the shape of a circular arc inlongitudinal section, this abutment face may slide on a groove baseface, similarly in the shape of a circular arc in longitudinal section,of a groove provided in one of the components, as a result of which theorientation of the relevant connecting element in relation to therespectively other connecting element may be altered within certainlimits as the connecting elements connect, in order to compensate forpositional tolerances of the grooves in which the connecting elementsare arranged, and/or for manufacturing tolerances of the connectingelements.

This additional degree of freedom of movement means that, when the twocomponents are assembled, corrections in their mutual positions arestill possible, which significantly reduces the demands on precision inthe position of the grooves in the components and results inconsiderable simplification for the user.

The connecting elements of the connecting means according to theinvention are preferably inserted into grooves that are already presentin the components, with the result that there is no need for a strongforce to be exerted in order to insert the connecting elements in thecomponents and so there is no risk of damage to these components.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a substantially planarbearing face of the first connecting element is configured to bearagainst a similarly substantially planar bearing face of the secondconnecting element.

In the connected condition of the components, the substantially planarbearing face of the first connecting element and/or the secondconnecting element is preferably aligned substantially parallel tocontact faces of the components at which the components abut against oneanother.

Further, in the connected condition of the components, the curvedbearing face and the substantially planar bearing face of the firstconnecting element and/or the second connecting element are orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the connecting direction.

A curved bearing face of at least one connecting element may inparticular be constructed to be substantially in the shape of a portionof a circular-cylindrical surface.

In particular so that shear forces may also be dispersed by means of theconnection between the connecting elements, it may be advantageous if atleast one of the connecting elements includes at least one push-inprojection and the respectively other connecting element includes atleast one receiving pocket which, in the connected condition of thecomponents, receives the push-in projection. As a result, additionaldowels such as those required with most other connecting means can bedispensed with.

If at least one receiving pocket is longer in extent in a longitudinaldirection of the connecting means than the push-in projection receivedtherein, this has the advantage that the first connecting element andthe second connecting element can be displaced in relation to oneanother in the longitudinal direction, in order in this way to enable atolerance compensation of the connection between the components.

In order to obtain a particularly effective anchoring of at least one ofthe connecting elements in the associated component, it may be providedfor at least one of the connecting elements to be provided with at leastone holding projection, which has a curved support face that is in theshape of a circular arc in longitudinal section.

With this curved support face, the holding projection can be supportedagainst a similarly curved undercut face of an undercut portion of agroove in the associated component, wherein this undercut face issimilarly in the shape of a circular arc in longitudinal section and hasthe same radius of curvature as the curved support face of the holdingprojection. Engagement between the holding projection and the undercutportion of the groove results in a positively-locking connection betweenthe component and the connecting element.

The holding projection of the connecting means according to theinvention is preferably not constructed to be self-cutting.

Rather, the holding projection is provided for pushing into a groovewhich is already made before the connecting element is inserted into thecomponent and which has an undercut portion in the relevant component inthe longitudinal direction of the groove. In this case, the holdingprojection can be displaced with little exertion of force in thetangential direction in the undercut portion of the groove, with theresult that the connecting element still has a degree of freedom ofmovement in this direction and so when the components are connectedcorrections are still possible in relation to their mutual positions.

The holding projection may in particular have blunt ends and/or roundedlead-in chamfers in its end regions.

A holding projection which is not self-cutting may have across-sectional surface area of any desired size in order to increasethe mechanical stability of the holding projection.

In particular, the cross-sectional surface area of the holdingprojection may be at least 1 mm².

The holding projection may have a substantially rectangular orsubstantially trapezoidal cross section.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it may be provided for the atleast one holding projection to taper as the spacing from a base body ofthe respective connecting element increases.

On the other hand, it may be provided for at least one holdingprojection to taper as the spacing from a base body of the respectiveconnecting element decreases.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it is also conceivable for atleast one holding projection to have a cross section with an externalcontour that is curved, at least in certain regions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided for at leastone holding projection to adjoin the curved abutment face of therespective connecting element substantially flush therewith. In thiscase, the holding projection is thus arranged on the outermost edge ofthe associated connecting element—the edge facing the base of thegroove.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it may also be provided for atleast one holding projection to be arranged offset from the curvedabutment face of the respective connecting element. The holdingprojection may thus in particular have a smaller radius of curvaturethan the curved abutment face of the respective connecting element.

Further, it may be provided for a plurality of holding projectionshaving different radii of curvature to be arranged on the sameconnecting element. In particular, a plurality of holding projectionshaving different radii of curvature may be arranged on the same side ofthe respective connecting element.

As an alternative or in addition to anchoring the connecting elements bymeans of one or more holding projections, it may also be provided for atleast one of the connecting elements to be provided with at least oneanchoring element for securing the relevant connecting element to agroove base of a groove provided in one of the components.

Further, it may be provided for at least one of the connecting elementsto be provided with at least one anchoring screw for securing therelevant connecting element to one of the components.

It may be provided for a connecting element, in particular a base bodyand/or a spring element and/or a reinforcing element and/or a receivingelement, to include a glass fiber-reinforced polyamide material or to beformed from a glass fiber-reinforced polyamide material.

The connecting elements are in particular configured to be latched toone another.

By using reinforcing elements that are constructed as stiffeningelements, the spring force of the spring element may preferably beincreased from for example approximately 150 N to for exampleapproximately 600 N.

The engaging portion of the spring element preferably has a sloping facewhich is configured to come into contact with a sloping face of thereceiving element such that in the connected condition the connectingelements are drawn towards one another by means of a connecting force.

Because of the sloping face of the engaging portion of the springelement and/or the sloping face of the receiving element, the connectingelements may preferably be detached from one another withoutirreversibly deforming the spring element or the receiving element.

The second connecting element, which includes the receiving element, ispreferably configured to be arranged completely in a groove in thesecond component, with the result that in particular there is no elementor part of the second connecting element protruding beyond a surface, inparticular a main surface, of the second component.

In particular if the receiving element is constructed to be at least inpart resilient or yielding, a spring travel of the spring element,required to ensure a desired holding force, may be shortened.

At least one spring element and/or at least one auxiliary spring elementtake the form for example of a leaf spring element.

Further preferred features and/or advantages of the invention form thesubject of the description below and the representation of an exemplaryembodiment in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through two components andtwo connecting elements of a connecting means for connecting the twocomponents, in a disconnected condition of the components;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional illustration, corresponding to FIG.1, of the components and the connecting means, in an intermediatecondition between the connected condition and the disconnectedcondition;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional illustration, corresponding to FIG.1, of the components and the connecting means, in a connected conditionof the components and the connecting elements of the connecting means;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a first connectingelement of the connecting means;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal section through the firstconnecting element from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG.4, of a second connecting element of the connecting means;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional illustration, corresponding to FIG. 5, throughthe second connecting element from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the firstconnecting element and the first component, in a disconnected condition;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding to FIG.8, of the first connecting element and the first component, in anintermediate condition between the disconnected condition and a mountedcondition in which the first connecting element is mounted on the firstcomponent;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding toFIG. 8, of the first connecting element and the first component, whereinthe first connecting element is mounted on the first component;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the secondconnecting element and the second component, in a disconnectedcondition;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding toFIG. 11, of the second connecting element and the second component, inan intermediate condition between the disconnected condition and amounted condition in which the second connecting element is mounted onthe second component; and

FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective illustration, corresponding toFIG. 11, of the second connecting element and the second component,wherein the second connecting element is mounted on the secondcomponent.

Like or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the samereference numerals in all the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13, of a connecting means thatis designated 100 as a whole serves to connect a first, for examplesubstantially plate-like, component 102 to a second component 104,similarly preferably substantially plate-like.

The two components 102 and 104 may be for example wood panels or plywoodpanels, but may also be made from any other materials as desired, forexample a metal material or a plastics material, for example Plexiglas.Further, it may be provided for the first component 102 and the secondcomponent 104 to be formed from mutually different materials.

In the connected condition of the two components 102 and 104,illustrated in FIG. 3, a contact face 106 of the first component 102,arranged for example on a short side or end face of the first component102, abuts against a contact face 108 of the second component 104, whichis for example a main surface of the plate-like second component 104.

In both the first component 102 and the second component 104, at leastone groove 110, which is open towards the respective contact face 106,108, is provided in each case.

The groove 110 includes a base portion 112 which is in the form of acircular-cylindrical segment or a circular-cylindrical portion, and twoundercut portions 114 which extend away from the base portion 112 in athrough-thickness direction 116.

The radius of curvature of the base portion 112 is larger than a groovedepth T (see FIG. 1), with the result that a curved groove base face 118forms an acute angle with the respective contact face 106, 108.

In particular as regards the further shaping of the groove 110 and thecreation of a groove 110 of this kind, explicit reference is made hereto EP 1 990 549 A1, which is incorporated in this description by suchreference.

For connecting the components 102, 104 to one another, the connectingmeans 100 includes a first connecting element 120 and a secondconnecting element 122.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 to 7, each of the connectingelements 120, 122 includes a base body 124 which is constructed to besubstantially in the form of a circular-cylindrical segment orcircular-cylindrical portion.

The base body 124 is constructed to be in particular at least in certainregions and at least approximately complementary to the base portion 112of the groove 110.

Each of the connecting elements 120, 122 further includes two holdingprojections 126 which extend away from the portion of the base body 124that is constructed to be complementary to the base portion 112 in thethrough-thickness direction 116.

The holding portions 126 are curved in an arc shape and are constructedto be at least approximately substantially complementary to the undercutportions 114 of the groove 110.

By means of the holding projections 126, the connecting elements 120,122 may thus be secured, at least in respect of a connecting direction128, with positive engagement with the components 102, 104, inparticular in the grooves 110 in the components 102, 104.

For this purpose, the connecting elements 120, 122 are configured to bepushed along the undercut portions 114 and into the grooves 110 in thecomponents 102, 104 (see in particular FIGS. 8 to 13).

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5, the first connectingelement 120 includes the base body 124, the holding projections 126 anda plurality of spring elements 130.

The spring elements 130 are for example leaf springs.

Each spring element 130 has an end 132 facing the base body 124 and anend 134 remote from the base body 124.

By means of the end 132 of each spring element 130 facing the base body124, the spring element 130 is arranged on the base body 124 and is inparticular connected in one piece with the base body 124.

The end 134 of each spring element 130 remote from the base body 124 isconfigured to move in a deflecting direction 136 that is alignedtransversely, in particular substantially perpendicular, to theconnecting direction 128.

For this purpose, the spring elements 130 are constructed to beflexible.

In the embodiment of the first connecting element 120 illustrated in theFigures, two spring elements 130 are provided, which for connecting theconnecting elements 120, 122 come into direct contact with a receivingelement (to be described below) of the second connecting element 122.These spring elements 130 are thus main spring elements 138.

The further spring elements 130 are auxiliary spring elements 140, whichfor connecting the connecting elements 120, 122 cooperate with thereceiving element of the second connecting element 122 only indirectly,namely by means of the main spring elements 138.

The auxiliary spring elements 140 are arranged adjacent to the mainspring elements 138 and have abutment portions 142 on the end 134 of theauxiliary spring elements 140 remote from the base body 124, by means ofwhich the auxiliary spring elements 140 are configured to bear againstthe main spring elements 138 in order to be able to act on the mainspring elements 138.

The main spring elements 138 include a respective engaging portion 144on the end 134 of the main spring elements 138 remote from the base body124, and by means of these engaging portions 144 the main springelements 138 are configured to come into engagement with the receivingelement of the second connecting element 122, for connecting theconnecting elements 120, 122.

In particular, the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138are configured to deflect in the deflecting direction 136, in order tocome into engagement with the receiving element of the second connectingelement 122.

The auxiliary spring elements 140 are arranged on the sides of the mainspring elements 138 remote from the engaging portions 144.

In the embodiment of the first connecting element 120, illustrated inthe Figures, a total of six spring elements 130 are provided, inparticular two main spring elements 138 and four auxiliary springelements 140.

The spring elements 130 are in this case arranged such that a mainspring element 138 and two auxiliary spring elements 140, which areassociated with this main spring element 138, on the one hand and a mainspring element 138 and two auxiliary spring elements 140, associatedwith this main spring element 138, on the other hand oppose one anotherin a mirror-symmetrical arrangement in relation to a transverse centerplane 146 of the first connecting element 120 that extends parallel tothe connecting direction 128.

The engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 may preferablybe moved away from the transverse center plane 146 in mutually oppositedeflecting directions 136. In this case, the effect is such that theends 134 of the auxiliary spring elements 140 remote from the base body124 are also deflected in the corresponding deflecting directions 136.

The force required for deflection is significantly increased by theadditional deflection of the auxiliary spring elements 140, since thespring force which counteracts the deflection is at least approximatelythe sum of the spring force of the main spring element 138 and of theassociated auxiliary spring elements 140.

The auxiliary spring elements 140 thus form reinforcing elements 148 forreinforcing a spring action or spring force of the main spring element138.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, it is provided in particularin this case for a first auxiliary spring element 150 to act directly onthe main spring element 138 when the main spring element 138 isdeflected. A second auxiliary spring element 152 acts directly on thefirst auxiliary spring element 150 when the main spring element 138 andthe first auxiliary spring element 150 are deflected.

Preferably, an intermediate space 154 is formed between the springelements 130.

In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, a first intermediate space156 is provided between the main spring element 138 and the firstauxiliary spring element 150, and a second intermediate space 158 isprovided between the first auxiliary spring element 150 and the secondauxiliary spring element 152.

A third intermediate space 160 may be formed for example between thesecond auxiliary spring element 152 and a portion of the base body 124,for example an insertion projection (to be described below) of the basebody 124.

For further reinforcement of the spring action or spring force of thespring elements 130, in particular the main spring elements 138, theintermediate spaces 154, in particular the first intermediate space 156,the second intermediate space 158 and/or the third intermediate space160, are preferably filled with a filler material, at least in certainregions.

The filler material may for example be an injection-moldable elastomermaterial and/or a thermoplastic material which is connected to thespring elements 130 and/or the base body 124, preferably over a largesurface area, in particular being connected by a substance-to-substancebond.

Because this connection of the spring elements 130 to one another and/orto the base body 124 makes deflection of the spring elements 130 moredifficult and thus contributes to stiffening the spring elements 130,each filled intermediate space 154 forms a stiffening element 162 forstiffening the spring elements 130, in particular the main springelement 138.

The stiffening elements 162 are thus also reinforcing elements 148 forreinforcing a spring action or spring force of the spring elements 130,in particular the main spring element 138.

Because the connection of the stiffening elements 162 to the springelements 130 and/or to the base body 124 is over a large surface area,when the spring elements 130 are deflected the stiffening elements 162are substantially under shear load.

The first connecting element 120 further includes at least one,preferably two, insertion projections 164 which are configured to comeinto engagement with receiving pockets (to be described below) of thesecond connecting element 122, in order to be able to position theconnecting elements 120, 122 in relation to one another in controlledmanner.

The spring elements 130 and stiffening elements 162 and the insertionprojections 164 preferably protrude at least in part beyond a connectingplane 166 over which the components 102, 104 and/or the connectingelements 120, 122 abut against one another in the connected conditionthereof.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 6 and 7, the second connectingelement 122 also includes a base body 124, which is shaped at least incertain regions to be at least approximately complementary to the groove110 in the components 102, 104.

The second connecting element 122 further includes two holdingprojections 126 which are curved in an arc shape and are constructed tobe substantially complementary to the undercut portions 114 of thegroove 110.

Thus, the second connecting element 122 may also easily be inserted intoa groove 110 and secured therein.

The second connecting element 122 includes a receiving element 168 bymeans of which the second connecting element 122 is configured to comeinto engagement with the first connecting element 120, in particularwith the spring elements 130 of the first connecting element 120.

The receiving element 168 is arranged, in particular secured, on thebase body 124 at an end 170 of the receiving element 168 facing theconnecting plane 166 (see in particular FIG. 6).

The receiving element 168 is arranged between two side walls 172 of thebase body 124 of the second connecting element 122.

Recesses 174, in particular openings 176, are provided in the side walls172 such that the receiving element 168 extending between the side walls172 extends in part along these recesses 174 and thus, in this region,is not connected to the side wall 172 and thus is not connected to thebase body 124.

These regions of the receiving element 168 that are not connected to theside wall 172 of the base body 124 of the second connecting element 122form receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168.

The receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 are inparticular constructed to be flexible.

The receiving element 168 is arranged centrally in the connectingelement 122 and is constructed in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement inrelation to the transverse center plane 146 of the second connectingelement 122. In particular, the receiving projections 178 of thereceiving element 168 are constructed in a mirror-symmetricalarrangement to one another in relation to the transverse center plane146 and are arranged to be mirror-symmetrical to one another.

An outer surface 182 of the receiving element 168 preferably has atleast approximately a parabolic shape, wherein an x axis extends in theconnecting plane 166 and a y axis extends in the transverse center plane146 (see in particular FIG. 7).

The main spring elements 138, in particular the engaging portions 144 ofthe main spring elements 138, are moved along this surface 182 of thereceiving element 168 when the connecting elements 120, 122 areconnected to one another. Because of the parabolic shape of the surface182, during this there is an initially large and then lesser increase inforce during deflection of the main spring elements 138.

The spring elements 130, in particular the main spring elements 138, aretensioned as they move along the surface 182 of the receiving element168, with the result that the surface 182 of the receiving element 168forms a clamping portion 184 of the receiving element 168.

The second connecting element 122 further includes two receiving pockets186 for receiving the insertion projections 164 of the first connectingelement 120.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the engaging portions 144 ofthe main spring elements 138 and the receiving projections 178 of thereceiving element 168 abut against one another in the connectedcondition, in each case by means of sloping faces 188.

By means of these sloping faces 188, the effect may be achieved on theone hand, in the connected condition of the connecting elements 120,122, of exerting a pulling force on the connecting elements 120, 122which draws the connecting elements 120, 122 towards one another. On theother hand, by means of the sloping faces 188, it is possible to ensurethat the connecting elements 120, 122 can be moved away from one anotherwithout any damage. In particular, because of the sloping faces 188 themain spring elements 138 of the first connecting element 120 can slidealong the sloping faces 188 of the receiving element 168, preferablyopposite to the connecting direction 128, and as a result of this theengaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 can be brought outof engagement with the receiving projections 178 of the receivingelement 168.

In further embodiments (not illustrated) of the connecting means 100, itis possible for example to provide a different number of main springelements 138, auxiliary spring elements 140 and/or stiffening elements162. Further, in alternative embodiments it is possible to provide forthe main spring elements 138 to be constructed and arranged such thatthe engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 are arrangedremote from one another and are configured to move towards one anotherfor the purpose of deflecting the main spring elements 138. Theassociated second connecting element 122 then preferably includes twomutually spaced receiving elements 168 which, in the connected conditionof the connecting elements 120, 122, are arranged on the sides of themain spring elements 138 remote from the transverse center plane 146.

The embodiment of the connecting means 100 that is illustrated in FIGS.1 to 13 functions as follows.

First the components 102, 104 are provided with the grooves 110 at thelocations that oppose one another in the mounted condition of thecomponents 102, 104. In particular, the grooves 110 are milled in thecomponents 102, 104 using a special tool, known for example from EP 1990 549 A1.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 8 to 10 and 11 to 13, theconnecting elements 120 and 122 may be inserted into the grooves 110simply by pushing them in.

Because the holding projections 126 of the connecting elements 120, 122come into engagement with the undercut portions 114 of the grooves 110during this pushing-in procedure, the connecting elements 120, 122 aresecured with positive engagement in the components 102, 104, at least asregards movement of the connecting elements 120, 122 in the connectingdirection 128.

Here, the first connecting element 120 is secured in the first component102.

This may in particular be relevant if the first component 102 is thecomponent 102, 104 which is to be connected by its short side or endface to a main side of a second component 104.

When the grooves 110 and thus the connecting elements 120, 122 arearranged on the short sides or end faces of in particular plate-likecomponents 102, 104, in particular it is not as a rule critical if partsof the first connecting element 120, in particular the push-inprojections 164, the main spring elements 138, the auxiliary springelements 140 and/or the stiffening elements 162, protrude beyond asurface of the component 102, 104, in particular a contact face 106 atwhich the components 102, 104 abut against one another.

The second connecting element 122 is preferably arranged in a groove 110arranged in the main surface of the second component 104, wherein thesecond connecting element 122 does not protrude beyond the main surface,in particular the contact face 106.

The second component 104 may thus be stacked, by means of the mainsurface, on further, in particular plate-like components 102, 104despite the fact that the second connecting element 122 is alreadymounted, without fear of damage to the components 102, 104 or the secondconnecting element 122.

To connect the connecting elements 120, 122 and thus the components 102,104 to one another, the components 102, 104 are moved towards oneanother, together with the connecting elements 120, 122 arrangedtherein, in the connecting direction 128, which is preferablyperpendicular to the connecting plane 166.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 to 3, during this the mainspring elements 138 first come into engagement with the receivingelement 168, in particular with the clamping portion 184 of thereceiving element 168.

As they move along the clamping portion 184 of the receiving element168, the engaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 are movedaway from the transverse center plane 146 in the deflecting directions136. During this, the main spring elements 138 are deflected and thustensioned.

Deflecting the main spring elements 138 also has the effect ofdeflecting the auxiliary spring elements 140, and moreover thestiffening elements 162 are put under shear load.

Because of the auxiliary spring elements 140 and the stiffening elements162, the force required to deflect the main spring elements 138 and thusalso the spring force of the main spring elements 138 are increased.

Thus, a significantly greater force must be applied to connect theconnecting elements 120, 122 to one another than if the main springelements 138 were provided without the aforementioned reinforcingelements 148.

Because of the parabolic shape of the surface 182 of the receivingelement 168, when the first connecting element 120 is pushed onto thesecond connecting element 122, the main spring elements 138 areinitially deflected more quickly and then more slowly.

In particular, this allows a large spring tensioning to be generated inorder to connect the connecting elements 120, 122 and thus also thecomponents 102, 104 securely to one another, wherein at the same time amaximum force required for connecting the connecting elements 120, 122is reduced.

In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, connecting the connectingelements 120, 122 to one another is moreover optimized in that thereceiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 are constructedto be yielding, in particular flexible. As a result of this, theengaging portions 144 of the main spring elements 138 may be moved pastthe receiving projections 178 of the receiving element 168 more easily.

An undesirable lateral displacement of the connecting elements 120, 122in relation to one another, in particular perpendicular to theconnecting direction 128, is effectively prevented in the connectedcondition of the connecting elements 120, 122 by the push-in projections164 and the associated receiving pockets 186.

Because the connecting means 100 includes spring elements 130 andreinforcing elements 148 for reinforcing the spring force of the springelements 130, the connecting elements 120, 122 and thus also thecomponents 102, 104 may be connected to one another simply and reliably.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connector for connecting a first component and a second component, the connector comprising: a first connecting element which in a connected condition of the components is arrangeable on the first component and includes a spring element, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arrangeable on the second component and includes a receiving element, wherein the receiving element includes at least one of a receiving projection or a receiving recess, wherein at least one of the connecting elements has a curved support surface, which is in a shape of a circular arc in longitudinal section, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, the spring element is configured to come into engagement with the receiving element, wherein the connector includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element, wherein the reinforcing element acts directly on the spring element, wherein an engaging portion of the spring element engages behind the receiving element in the region of at least one of the receiving projection or the receiving recess, and wherein the reinforcing element has smaller dimensions than the spring element.
 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of an auxiliary spring element.
 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary spring element has a shape that at least approximately corresponds to the spring element.
 4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary spring element includes an abutment portion by means of which the auxiliary spring element is configured to abut against the spring element.
 5. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary spring element is formed in at least one of (i) one piece with the spring element; and (ii) one piece with a base body of the first connecting element.
 6. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first connecting element includes the reinforcing element and at least one additional reinforcing element, wherein the reinforcing element and the at least one additional reinforcing element take the form of a first auxiliary spring element and a second auxiliary spring element, respectively, wherein, for reinforcing the spring force of the spring element, the first auxiliary spring element acts directly on the spring element, and wherein, for reinforcing the spring force of the spring element, the second auxiliary spring element acts directly on the first auxiliary spring element which acts directly on the spring element.
 7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes the reinforcing element, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of a stiffening element and is connected to the spring element such that a deformation of the spring element results in at least one of a compression and a shearing of the stiffening element.
 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the stiffening element is made from a material which is a material different from at least one of the material of the spring element and the material of a base body of the first connecting element.
 9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes the reinforcing element, wherein the reinforcing element is in the form of an auxiliary spring element, and wherein the first connecting element further includes a second reinforcing element that takes the form of a stiffening element, wherein an intermediate space between the auxiliary spring element and the spring element is filled, in part or entirely, by the stiffening element.
 10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element includes a clamping portion along which an engaging portion of the spring element is movable for making the connection between the first component and the second component, wherein the spring element is thereby tensioned.
 11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the clamping portion has a substantially parabolic cross section.
 12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element is constructed to be resilient, at least in certain regions.
 13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element is connected, at an end of the receiving element that faces the first connecting element, to a base body of the second connecting element, and in that at least one end of the receiving element that is remote from the first connecting element is constructed to be movable.
 14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes at least two spring elements which in the connected condition embrace the receiving element on both sides.
 15. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element is constructed to be symmetrical in relation to a transverse center plane of the receiving element that extends perpendicular to a connecting plane of the connector.
 16. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element includes at least two spring elements and at least two reinforcing elements, wherein, in relation to a transverse center plane of the first connecting element that extends perpendicular to a connecting plane of the connector, the at least two spring elements and the at least two reinforcing elements are at least one of (i) arranged symmetrically to one another on the first connecting element; and (ii) constructed to be symmetrical to one another.
 17. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one connecting element includes a base body which is substantially in the shape of a circular-cylindrical segment or a circular-cylindrical portion, and at least one holding projection which is substantially in the shape of a circular arc and by means of which the at least one connecting element is securable in the component.
 18. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of the spring element has a sloping face which is configured to come into contact with a sloping face of the receiving element such that in the connected condition the connecting elements are drawn towards one another by means of a connecting force. 